MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (BN24) —Nigerian troops have repelled coordinated attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on multiple military positions in Borno State, killing 11 militants in a series of clashes that also left a senior army officer dead, the military said Sunday.
The assaults targeted Forward Operating Bases in Mayanti, Gajigana, and Gajiram between late Feb. 28 and the early hours of March 1, according to a statement issued by Lt. Col. Sani Uba, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force (North East) operating under Operation HADIN KAI.
Uba indicated that troops “successfully foiled” the attempted incursions, describing the attacks as coordinated and heavily armed. Five militants were killed during the confrontation in Mayanti, three in Gajiram, and two in Gajigana, he said. In a separate ambush operation in Gujba Local Government Area, troops killed two additional fighters, bringing the total number of militants killed to 11.
An army major, identified as Umaru Ibrahim Mairiga, was killed during the fighting in Mayanti, military authorities confirmed. Another soldier sustained injuries in the Gajiram attack and was evacuated by a Nigerian Army Aviation helicopter for advanced medical treatment.
According to the statement, the Mayanti base came under what officials described asan intense assault by a large number of ISWAP fighters on Feb. 28. Reinforcements navigating improvised explosive devices and ambush threats joined defending troops in pushing back the attackers.
Military personnel recovered three PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 launchers, four AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, and several rocket-propelled grenades, along with ammunition, the statement said. Blood trails at the scene suggested additional casualties among retreating militants, it added.
At approximately 1:15 a.m. on March 1, fighters armed with PKT machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and what the military described as armed drones launched an attack on the Gajiram base. The offensive was repelled with support from air assets, according to Uba. Troops later recovered four AK-47 rifles, anti-tank explosives, locally made mortar bombs, and an armed drone abandoned along the withdrawal route.
In Gajigana, troops maintained control of their position after what the statement characterized as a failed militant attempt to overrun the base.
Additional operations in Sector 2 included engagements in Kayawa Village, where troops forced suspected militants to retreat, leaving behind motorcycles and other equipment. Soldiers also destroyed structures described as logistical support sites and detained two individuals, the military identified as ISWAP logistics suppliers. Medical supplies and drugs allegedly intended for wounded fighters were seized, officials said.
During an ambush near Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba Local Government Area, troops killed two militants and recovered weapons and other materials, the statement added.
“All locations remain firmly undertheir own control,” Uba said, asserting that the outcome of the engagements reflects mounting pressure on ISWAP’s operational capacity.
The casualty figures, weapons recoveries, and account of events were provided by Operation HADIN KAI. Independent verification of battlefield claims is often difficult in northeastern Nigeria, where access to conflict zones can be restricted.
The death of Major Mairiga marks another loss among Nigerian security forces engaged in a protracted counterinsurgency campaign in Borno and neighboring states. The region has experienced more than a decade of insurgent violence linked initially to Boko Haram and later splinter factions,s including ISWAP.
ISWAP emerged as a breakaway faction aligned with the Islamic State group and has focused attacks on military installations and supply routes in recent years. Analysts note that the group has demonstrated tactical adaptability, including the use of drones and improvised explosive devices, increasing risks for troops stationed in remote forward bases.
The latest clashes underscore the persistent volatility in Nigeria’s northeast despite repeated military offensives. While authorities frequently announce territorial gains and militant casualties, insurgent groups have continued to mount periodic raids, particularly on isolated military outposts.
Security analysts say such attacks serve both operational and symbolic purposes. Attempts to overrun forward bases can disrupt supply chains, seize weapons, and project strength. Even unsuccessful assaults may aim to test defenses or stretch military resources.
The Nigerian military has in recent years emphasized a strategy combining ground offensives with aerial surveillance and targeted strikes. The reference to air support during the Gajiram attack highlights continued reliance on air power to counter mobile insurgent units.
At the same time, the death of a senior officer reflects the ongoing human cost of the conflict. Military casualties, though less frequently publicized than militant losses, remain a sensitive issue domestically. The loss of experienced officers can affect morale and operational continuity.
Borno State remains the epicenter of insurgent activity in Nigeria. Though authorities assert that ISWAP’s fighting capacity is degrading, the group retains the ability to stage coordinated attacks across multiple locations within short time frames.
Regional security dynamics also play a role. Porous borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon allow militant factions to maneuver across Lake Chad Basin territories, complicating counterterrorism efforts. Multinational task force cooperation has yielded periodic successes, but sustained stabilization remains elusive.
Humanitarian conditions in parts of Borno continue to be shaped by insecurity. Displacement, limited infrastructure,e and restricted farming access contribute to economic strain, factors analysts say can intersect with recruitment dynamics for armed groups.
The military maintains that pressure on ISWAP enclaves, logistics corridors, rs and leadership structures is constraining the group’s operational freedom. However, security experts caution that insurgencies often evolve rather than disappear, adapting tactics in response to sustained offensives.
As operations continue, authorities are expected to intensify patrols and surveillance around forward operating bases considered vulnerable to night assaults. Further updates may follow as assessments of the weekend clashes are completed.
LindaIkeji
